A Lane Crawford February 2013 campaign image featuring Givenchy. (Lane Crawford)
As a part of Hong Kong department store Lane Crawford’s steady mainland expansion, it has released more details about its slated Shanghai flagship opening in September in a press release sent today.
At 150,000 square feet, the Shanghai flagship will be the company’s largest store in China. The location will have four floors and more than 500 luxury brands for sale. For many international niche designers new to the China market, Lane Crawford is often one of the only—if not the only—location in the country where fashion-forward Chinese shoppers can purchase their styles. Young Asian-American designers Jason Wu, Prabal Gurung, and Thakoon are among the brands that will be available.
Chinese designers will also have an important role in the store’s lineup. According to the release, the Shanghai Times Square store “will be the first Lane Crawford store to launch the womenswear collections of three emerging Chinese contemporary designers; Chictopia by Christine Lau, insh by Helen Lee, and Ms Min by Liu Min.”
The location will also feature a 12,000-square-foot VIP “Platinum Suite”, concierge services, personal stylists, and the ability to collect and return online orders in-store.
According to Lane Crawford CEO Andrew Keith, “Lane Crawford is recognised globally for being a retail innovator and has been bringing the best of global design to the region for over 160 years. As the only luxury department store in Greater China, our knowledge of the Chinese customers helps us to bring them the best retail experience which will inspire them to create their own world of style. We are very excited to be opening a flagship store at a time when China is not only leading the world’s economic agenda but is also becoming a burgeoning creative force.”
Lane Crawford previously had a location in Shanghai, but withdrew from the city in 2006. This will be its first store opening in the city since then, and demonstrates the company’s faith that the sophisticated first-tier metropolis is now ready for its presence.
A rendering of Lane Crawford’s upcoming Shanghai flagship location. (Lane Crawford)